The Journey of Xinderella: A Foster Cat in Regulatory Limbo

Xinderella, an adventurous foster cat, is equipped with a microchip, a caring human guardian, and a stable home. Yet, she finds herself in a perplexing state of regulatory limbo. Under the recent, somewhat ambiguous regulations governing cats in Singapore’s public housing, she is not officially registered to the apartment she calls home.

This spirited, three-legged tabby represents an unknown number of cats who have recently gained legal status as pets in Singapore, a city where more than 80% of the population resides in public housing. The lifting of a 35-year prohibition on keeping cats in public housing apartments marks a significant milestone for cat enthusiasts who have been quietly defying the rules for decades.

However, the new regulations leave much to be desired in terms of clarity. In a wealthy city-state known for its order and efficiency, the guidelines regarding cat ownership are surprisingly vague. Singapore prides itself on maintaining a myriad of ordinances and penalties, including hefty fines for littering and other minor violations, while imposing the death penalty for serious crimes such as marijuana trafficking. Yet, the government has not clarified how it intends to enforce the newly established cat regulations or what penalties will be imposed on non-compliant cat owners. Moreover, there is a lack of information regarding the regulation of foster cats like Xinderella.

“We are all navigating through a sea of uncertainty,” shared Xinderella’s foster parent, Kartika Angkawijaya, during a recent conversation in her vibrant pink public housing block. Inside, Xinderella, affectionately known as “Xin,” a one-year-old feline with a distinctive personality, was pacing in her cage. Despite her charming nature, she has earned the title of “narcissist” due to her inability to get along with her four feline housemates.

Kartika Angkawijaya alongside two of the five cats that share her apartment.